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Monkey Magic Tribute
Our act is a street theatre performance first presented at Woodford in 2001 and 2002. We perform a tribute, based on 西游记 （Xīyóu jì）Journey to the West. Originally written in China in the 15th Century by Wu Cheng’en, versions of these stories have been performed around the world by theatrical troops for hundreds of years. Recently, a resurgence of popularity has occurred with the Black Myth: Wukong action role play game.
Woodford 2001-2002
Monkey Magic
Monkey Magic Tribute tells the tale of Sun Wukong, the Monkey King who accompanied the monk Tripitaka on a Journey to the India (the West) from 8th Century Tang China. Travelling with Pigsy and Sandy, Monkey and Tripitaka meet demons and dangers along the way, with Buddha here to help them reach Samsara.
Beloved local performers from all around the Gold Coast starred in the first version. Thanks Damien Pritchard, Melanie Miller, Will Miller, Shey Ringham, Bree Ringham, and Daniel Comiskey.
We recently unearthed an old video, unfortunately without sound, fortunately showing the whole show.
The hit Japanese TV series
Monkey Magic
Australians became enamoured of the Japanese version in the 1980s on the ABC. Controversially casting a woman in the role of the monk. Well known comedians played elements of the mythologised adventures for laughs. The tv show was overdubbed in fake Japanese accents by the BBC, adding to it's charm, and many afternoons were spent stick fighting.
In each episode, the pilgrims accompanying Tripitaka, Pigsy, Sandy and Monkey are set upon by demons, tempting them from their mission to fetch the Buddhist scriptures.
Morality tales and historical legends combine, as we join our hero, Monkey, 孙悟空 Sun Wukong (Descendant Awakening to Emptiness) as he journeys towards ultimate enlightenment through struggle and perseverance.
Journey to the West
Based on the true story of the Monk Xuanzang, who travelled to India to bring the Buddhist scriptures to Tang China in the eight Century BC, Journey to the West, has been performed around the world and in many cultures. The Japanese series was just one in many remakes, with another recent Australian and New Zealand coproduction adapting the tale: https://theconversation.com/far-from-white-washing-abcs-monkey-magic-remake-takes-us-back-to-its-cross-cultural-roots-90853
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-04-20/monkey-magic-to-get-a-reboot/8457782
Lisa Gay and the crew 2025
A graduate in East Asian Studies from the Australian National University (ANU), Lisa financed her final year translating an abridged illustrated version of Journey to the West as a children's educational resource.
Playing Tripitaka in 2001, Lisa will facilitate the next round of performances, inviting old and new friends to play the pilgrims in a new and updated version.
Watch out for Obi Miller as Monkey, Jherome Ghadian as Pigsy, Kevin White as the Jade Emperor, Josh Wenden as Sandy, Shining Rainbow as Tripitaka, and reprising their roles as demons, Shey Ringham and Daniel Comiskey.
